For as long as she can remember, Iona’s been a fan of football. From the age of five, her weekends were spent accompanying her dad to football matches. It was the roar of the crowd, the rush when her team scored, the collective disappointment of missing chances and the beauty of the game that drew her in.
Growing up, Iona also loved to play football, whether at school or in the evenings. She fondly remembers her mum calling her in for tea, only to reply, “Just one more goal, Mum!” before reluctantly heading inside.
Reflecting on her childhood and her experiences growing up in the nineties, Iona shared:
“The older I got, the more it was drilled into me that ‘football was for boys’ and I gave up playing in favour of dancing and handball. I think this is a very familiar story for lots of girls of my generation, and I’m glad that the attitude is shifting to it being a sport for all but we’re not there yet.”
Beyond the roar
In 2022, Iona watched on as the Lionesses lifted the UEFA Women's European Championship trophy, and her passion was reignited, only this time, she wanted to play again.
Iona said: “There was another factor beyond just being a girl in this space. Sports in general, but especially football, can feel like an intimidating and alien space to those in the LGBTQ+ community. I wanted to join spaces but found myself shying away, afraid I wouldn’t be accepted.”
That was until Iona found Rainbow Warriors, run by Stenhousemuir Community Foundation. Rainbow Warriors was founded on the simple fact that football should be a safe space for everyone to enjoy and welcoming to all.
At Rainbow Warriors, there are players that identify across the gender and sexuality spectrum who play to have fun, but beyond that the club is somewhere people can connect and help to break down barriers in a safe space.
Iona said:
“Exercise and movement are of course a big proponent of your mental wellbeing, but I can’t put into words how incredibly beneficial the community has become to me. It can be hard to find ‘new’ friends or spaces as an adult, but Rainbow Warriors is a space where I feel included and valued, both as a person and a football player - who hadn’t kicked a ball in about 20 years.”
Building community
The primary objectives of the Rainbow Warriors programme, include:
- Raising awareness: Educating players, coaches, and the community about LGBTQ+ issues and the importance of diversity in football
- Creating safe spaces: providing a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals to engage with football (and other social based activities) without fear of discrimination or prejudice
- Encouraging participation: actively encouraging participation of LGBTQ+ individuals in football, both on and off the pitch
- Building partnerships: collaborating with local LGBTQ+ organisations to strengthen community ties and promote inclusivity
As a regular member of the club, Iona said: “I’ve been really surprised by how much I enjoy playing again, when the pressure of fitting into a certain box is taken away. The team have developed such a lovely community of LGBTQ+ people and allies, but most importantly – people who want to play football.”
Sessions take place at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir every Monday from 7PM and the first session is free. Whether you are brand new to the game, a seasoned player, or just looking to try something different, everyone is welcome to join Rainbow Warriors in celebrating diversity and championing equality both on and off the pitch.
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